'There's a great need': Blood drive held in honour of Roehler family's sons

The Roehler family, from left, Kristopher, Lukas, 6, Max, 3, Lisa, and Emilia, 7, are pictured as Kristopher donates blood at the Blood Donor Clinic, Tuesday, August 8, 2017. The Roehler family are holding an event at the clinic to share the memory of their late son, Christian, and honouring their son Lukas, both of which were diagnosed with a rare immune deficiency disorder.Dax Melmer / Windsor Star

Nearly a decade after their eldest son’s death, Kristopher Roehler said it gives him hope to see the community turn out to give blood in Christian’s memory.

Nearly 300 have given blood in honour of the Roehler family, including family and friends at the Windsor Blood Donor Clinic on Tuesday.

The Roehlers’ eldest, Christian, had an immune disorder called Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. Born in June 2007, he passed away in September 2008.

Small bruising all over their Christian’s body was the first clue that something was amiss, the family said. After months of hospital stays, blood tests and doctor visits, doctors discovered that Christian had a rare autoimmune disorder that only five people are diagnosed with in Canada each year.

After welcoming their third son in 2011, the family discovered Lukas had the same disorder as his older brother.

“And so together, they needed 152 transfusions,” Kristopher Roehler said on Tuesday afternoon, during his 21st blood donation. “And we would like to give back what others have given to us.”

Photos of Lukas Roehler, centre, and his late brother, Christian Roehler, who died from a rare immune deficiency disorder, are pictured at the Blood Donor Clinic, Tuesday, August 8, 2017. The Roehler family are holding an event at the clinic to share the memory of their late son, Christian, and honouring their son Lukas, both of which were diagnosed with a rare immune deficiency disorder.Dax Melmer /
Windsor Star

Lisa Roehler said “we know what that would have meant” if her sons did not receive blood transfusions.

“There were times, even at Christmas, where the supply was quite low,” she explained. “And we’d have to wait hours in order for them to get their transfusions. It was a scary time, so we know the need.”

Christian was once in the hospital on Christmas Eve, his platelet count low.

“And it was actually his first blood transfusion,” Kristopher said. “And we were told by the hospital staff that they did not have any blood platelets for him that was a match in the Windsor area, and they needed to ship them in from London.”

The family waited hours for the transfusion, which Christian eventually got.

“But we know that there’s many different people in many different situations that need it; and it seems like, with vacations and summer activities, there’s a shortage right now,” Kristopher said. “And there’s a great need. We just want to try to help those who need it.”

Kristopher called the friends, family and community members who have donated blood in honour of their sons “our troops.” He said the experience was humbling.

“It’s encouraging, too. It shows that there’s a lot of people that do truly care. And are not living just for themselves; they’re going to live to help other people. And we don’t know who we’re helping: but in the end, it’s such a cool thing to see. It gives me hope.”

Today, Lukas is a bouncy blonde with a big smile. Since his transfusions, Lukas has surpassed every milestone, his mother said.

“Our doctor has said that he is now a boring patient,” Kristopher said. “He goes for checkups once a year, he doesn’t need blood products anymore — he hasn’t had one in probably almost five years now. And he’s going to school, going into Grade 1, playing sports; hockey, baseball, soccer.”

Jocelyn Smith has been friends with Lisa since high school.

“I came out two years ago around Christmastime to donate, and now I’m doing it again,” Smith said. “I know they’re in major need of blood right now, so I wanted to help out with that. Especially when I saw that they were organizing this today, I definitely wanted to make a point to come.”

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